Most Of The Rim Closed Due To Very Saturated Soil

The Forest Service has closed the forest from Highway 260 south to the White Mountain Apache Reservation and west to the Young road and Arizona State Highway 60 to the east near Show Low until further notice.

We are beginning to enjoy a spring-like warm up and much of our snow is all but disappeared. Only in areas where the sun hardly ever hits, snow still makes its presence. Still there is a sigh of relief the major winter storms and deep snows have past.

The Buckskin Canyon — Artists Draw Road crossing still has the “Road Flooded” signs posted with a good amount of runoff still occurring there. As we look toward the Rim from Overgaard, the snow is still showing prominently on top of the hills. So we still have more runoff to endure at that crossing and others for some time.

The Forest Service has closed the forest from Highway 260 south to the White Mountain Apache Reservation and west to the Young road and Arizona State Highway 60 to the east near Show Low until further notice. The only access into those areas is to private lands and those approved by the Forest Service. The purpose behind this is to mitigate imminent threat of damage to forest roads, trails, soils and vegetation as stated by officials. People becoming stranded due to their vehicle’s inability to navigate through these areas even with four-wheel drive is another reason for closure. The winter snows have been 220 percent of normal levels and the soil saturation is at its peak. The streams are continuing to flow at a rate that still poses a threat to vehicles at wash and creek crossings. The Forest Service also states the fine is at $5,000 for disregarding signs posted at every forest road entrance south of Highway 260. The date of rescind is May 30 unless deemed otherwise by Forest Service officials.

The organization Top of the Rim Eagles #4437 is having its first “Pets in the Park” event at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 27. All the proceeds will benefit The White Mountain Humane Society. The public and all pets are welcome. They will be holding a pet parade, animal adoptions, and other pet-related activities at the park. An awards dinner and silent auction will be hosted immediately following at the Eagles’ activity center. Ticket prices are $10 per animal entry fee for park activities and $10 per person for the awards dinner. Vendors are welcome. Reserve your spot by calling the Eagles at (928) 535-6111 for reservations.